Magic changes ~
The ride back was quiet but more intimate. Maybe something had clicked up there, on that beautiful piece of bare rock. They were sharing a headset, listening to some music on his phone. This made her lean in closer. But what made her rest her arms on his waist? Her natural instinct of that it was too hard to reach the back handle to hold on for sheer safety? After all, this was her first time on a bike too.
Quite a lot of firsts. Her first bike ride. Her first night out. Her first visit to that place. Her first time out with a man alone in a new place. Her first time in the rain and wind on a winter's eve. Her first time breaking loose of everything that held her. Her first time to break the barrier in her mind, to let go of responsible action. Her first time that inspiration had struck her in one blow. Her first time truly awed by anything and everything she saw from a single drop dangling on her partner's hair to the power she felt scaling the huge stone to her objective. Her first time fully out of her comfort zone on every level.
And to Anamika, this was overwhelming. The sheer marvel that had taken place inside her, the shift in her thoughts, the break in her cage, the challenge to dare and do... And shared with a familiar stranger. A familiar stranger whose eyes she now felt as too familiar. They stopped for tea and biscuits a kilometer away from her place. He had insisted on her eating. She had given in after a few weak attempts to go back. Dawn was breaking but the dark clouds prevented the soft light from breaking through. The rain had ceased and the whole area, the whole city, took a new light and face in Anamika's mind.
The magic of the night was not broken yet ~~~
Why? The question haunted him. Several times he had quipped on what she would do if he stranded her there or if he decided to not go back hence cutting off her only mode of transportation. Each time she had an answer, a comeback to every question he posed with a clear smile on her face. Then he had asked whom she liked in her new area. She said she liked him. Oh, she did add a lot of other names to the list but he was there. She liked him. He was aware of what people spoke about him. But she did not seem to show any knowledge of it. He should ask. But he didn't have the courage just then.
"What are you thinking so hard about?", the question was asked in a teasing way and he smiled.
"Nothing, I had a good time with you."
"Have you taken others there with you?"
"Girls? No, you are the first", was that a blush she turned to hide?
"Hmm... Interesting. Why me?"
"Because you asked."
"Just because I asked you took me? You are crazy", hints of a smile tugged at her lips but she managed to keep a straight face. He laughed.
"Yes I am, but not as much as you!"
They both burst out laughing at the idiotic nature of their sudden trip and assured each other of illness to come after getting drenched in the cold rain. They finished their tea. He dropped her off near her gate and sped off. She stood for a moment watching the receding figure. She went inside, to her room, her mind quiet for once. She took a warm bath, washed her clothes and lay down on her bed.
The magic was starting to fade ~~~
She finally checked her phone. 18 missed calls, 38 messages, 5 SMS-es. Him. She had hurt Him so much, she knew. But His last message cracked her.
I don't know why you want to do this. But whatever the reason please don't leave me. I'm waiting for you. I'm holding you to your promise and I trust you. Please come back. I can't bear this.
She called Him. They talked. He never understood why she did it except that she wanted to and ultimately in her mind, had to. She understood Him to an extent, placing His actions and words under His insecurity and misery over not being there for her, not being with her. But she also never understood Him fully. It was a night of magic for her and darkness for Him.
They had both changed ~~~
-continued-
